Fifty Shades...Complete

[felineranger.livejournal.com]

I feel like Frodo at the end of Lord of the Rings.  It's done...it's finally over...


http://archiveofourown.org/works/465075/chapters/1397839

Comments

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

As a fan and a writer, I appreciate an open ending - I'd like to be able to say "noooo, you have to do a sequel!" But that's not how I'll roll, LOL. It's a really good meld of the relationships and life we see of the original Ace's, and of our Lister and Rimmer. We can each work out what might have become of Rimmer after the end of this tale.

I'll still say that from what tiny bits I read of the books, this is far better than they were, not just in content (well, duh) but in style, and the fact it had a plot. There were things you did that deviated from what I would have done writing the same kind of story, that surprised me, but I liked all of them, plus there were times I didn't know what I would have done and then when you did it, I thought "well, of course, that does make sense." I enjoyed seeing every update that came through. :-)

[felineranger.livejournal.com]

THERE WILL BE NO SEQUEL!!!

Having said that, as I've already told Janamelie, you are more than welcome to write your own spin-off or AU exploring some of the ideas you had, where I went in a different direction. It's all good fun and I would find it interesting to know some of the thoughts you had, even if you don't want to develop them into fic. I'm just really grateful that you've stuck with it for so long to be honest! You've been very supportive :-)

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Frankly, my only reservations were in the S&M of the story - it's not a topic I voluntarily read much unless it's done well (and you should see my one pathetic tiny attempt at helping write such a scene ... not terribly S or M, ha!). So it was nothing in the writing style or content, just my own hesitations.

(ETA: Just as I was writing this, my email decided to inform me part 56 had been posted. I thought 55 was the very last chapter and that you had ended with Rimmer jetting off. So you can read my above comments in that light. ;-) )

[trollsb.livejournal.com]

But But - I want a sequel *pouts*
Isn't there 3 of them 50shades books? :P

[derien.livejournal.com]

Now I guess I'm really going to have to read all of it - I loved the first few chapters, and now I no longer have the excuse of not wanting to get too far into a WIP. I'll be honest, it's the S&M that made me quail, really. But, right now, today, I know I can't finish all 56 chapters before Sunday, when I'm going to lose 'net access for a time, so I'll be looking forward to seeing if I can handle the S&M in about a week when I get access back. :)

[felineranger.livejournal.com]

That should give you ample bracing time :-)

[trollsb.livejournal.com]

Possibly might me more a reflection of me, but the S&M isn't super scary gory nasty sort as far as I recall.

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

I've enjoyed this fic so much that I can't help being a little sad that it's over. I'm sure you're relieved to have it finished though. :)

There were so many lovely little touches like Rimmer's call sign being Alpha Romeo, both of them building secret compartments in Wildfire and the meeting at the end. I love the fact that it was hearing of their marriage that put the finishing touch to "normal" Rimmer's resentment overload. :D

I also liked the way you gave us a little of Rimmer's POV in order to explain why he was so set on going. The fic wouldn't have worked so well if we'd had a lot of his POV, but it was good to have a glimpse.

The way you've ended it is great, but it keeps sparking my imagination. I want to know what happened to "usual" Rimmer and Lister after they left and part of me thinks "Why on Earth don't our silly boys go back with billionaire Rimmer and Lister?". I know, presumably there wouldn't be room.

I appreciate that you've no intention of writing a sequel and that it's up to me to write more if I want it. I may if I get inspired. ;)

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

One of my favorite bits was regular!Lister reacting to the marriage news not with surprise or indignation (no thanks to YOU, Duct Soup), but an "oh, eh?" musing. Wonder exactly what Rimmer's resentful of, exactly. ;-) (I also wonder if it's Series X them, which would be really fun ...)

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

Good point. :D Well, I know what I think Rimmer's resentful of. Or most resentful of. ;)

I think it has to be Series X them, because of the resentment drain thing. It was only introduced in "Trojan". :)

[felineranger.livejournal.com]

I like to think that it's not just the fact that other Rimmer is married to Lister - its that he's married to young, doe eyed, perky bottomed and (above all) successful Lister. The fact that Lister is more than just a scruffy slob in this dimension means that he's now a 'respectable' choice of partner to introduce to your family. I deliberately left it open ended as to which version of the boys they meet and when, because it leaves more scope for the imagination but I suppose the resentment drain is a giveaway that I pictured them a tad older.

[felineranger.livejournal.com]

I really never had any plan or inclination to make it this long. I'm still trying to get my head around the fact that I've more or less written a complete novel - its more than twice the length of any other fic I've ever done. Even now, there's elements and plot points which I either never wrote or cut out simply because it was getting so ridiculous. Taylor originally played a bigger part, as did Marlena and Sam Murray, but it all just had to go. I've always had a problem with overwriting and if I ever do become a 'real' writer I will need a very firm and patient editor.

I suppose the most important thing I've taken away from this project is that I do have the capability to complete something like this. In the past when people have suggested (sometimes kindly and sometimes not so kindly) that I would be better off focusing my creative energy on writing my own stuff than wasting time with fanfiction, I always maintained that I simply don't have the time to commit to writing a book while still paying the bills, however this has made me reconsider that a little. Besides, I've always felt that if I enjoy writing fanfic and others enjoy reading it, then that's not a waste of time at all.

See, I've even overwritten this post. Damn.

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

That's ironic, because I sometimes feel that my own writing style is too concise and envy the way that yours flows. But we can only write the way that comes naturally to us, I suppose. :)

It's a shame this can't be published actually. I'm old-fashioned and would like to be able to carry it around with me sometimes like a favourite book. ;)

[felineranger.livejournal.com]

If u have a kindle or other e-book I think AO3 has the option to download stuff in the appropriate format. Or maybe it's just for viewing works if you're using the wi-fi on your device. Might be worth a look, would be handy for when you want to download a fic then read it later on the train or something if it works.

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

I don't have a Kindle unfortunately and all my spare cash is going towards DJ atm. But I'll definitely bear it in mind. :)

[trollsb.livejournal.com]

Print off the full length pdf and bind it?

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

I don't have a printer and using a library one would cost a lot for such a lengthy fic. :( I'll look into Kindle.

[felineranger.livejournal.com]

I gave it a try and did manage to download it successfully to my e-reader. The only downside to that was that when I actually started to read it through like a proper novel, all in one go, it made me realise how much I overuse certain words and phrases. Now I want to go back and do some re-writes :-(

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

It's up to you of course, but I wouldn't worry too much. I've reread my fics and thought "Why did I put it like that?" but left them alone because if I start changing them I won't be able to stop. ;)